Menu Plan August 10-17

Due to the fact that I've had a crazy love/hate relationship with menu planning this summer, I didn't post a menu last week, and in doing so, didn't get to share the highlight meal from the week before.

So I'm gonna do it now....

because I'm completely convinced you'll want to send me gifts thank me for it after you've made it for yourselves....

Alrighty brace yourselves.....

The winner of our most favorite meal from that week was most definitely....
Dadadaaaaa:

Sarah's Loaded Baked Potato Pizza.

My family devoured it- as in we barely spoke as we savored each bite! And that's saying a lot when we have a 5 year old, a two year old and one year old sitting at our dinner table :)
You simply have to make it for yourselves to understand what I mean when I say it is heavenly!

Ok, so this week I only need to plan 5 meals because this weekend we are off to B.C for our week-long vacation with Chris' family. (Woohoo!!!)

Monday: Ham Casserole
Tuesday: Spicy Honey Chicken
Wednesday: Sausage and Peppers Pasta
Thursday: Pan Fried Steak
Friday: BLT Bagels
Saturday: Vacation Baby!!!
Sunday: Vacation Baby!!!

For more menu ideas visit Org Junkie

Menu Plan July 27- Aug 2

Last week I was (once again) reminded of why I plan my menus....
I managed to stay on track the entire week (with the exception of Saturday night, and only because Chris' parents took the kids and so Chris and I went out on a lovely dinner date.)

I spent zero time worrying about what I was going to make.
And for that alone- I {heart} menu planning.

The highlight of last week was definitely the Roasted Red Pepper Tortellini Bake. Everyone loved this one and my husband even declared it as one of his new favorites!
My favorite part was just how easy it was to make! Thanks soooooo much Snow White!

Here's the plan this week...

Monday: Leftover BBQ beef on a bun
Tuesday: Sausage and Mixed Peppers Quesadillas (eeek -this is now the third week in a row I've had this on my menu...fingers crossed this time!)
Wednesday: Pioneer Woman's Favorite Sandwich
Thursday: Loaded Baked Potato Pizza
Friday: Stir-Fry
Saturday: Asian Noddle Salad
Sunday: Crock-pot Burritos ( ground beef + salsa + 3hours= the best burritos EVER!)

For more menu ideas visit Org Junkie

Menu Plan July 20-26

I have fallen of the "menu planning" wagon again. I don't know what's wrong. I know that menu planning helps me save time and money. But I just really haven't felt like sitting down and doing it. I think I'm going to blame it on summer. It's hot. And I just don't feel like cooking. And it's hot. And I'm tried. And I just want to be lazy.....Waa waa waaaaaaaaa.

You know it's time to start planning your menu again when your husband casually mentions "Hey, whatever happen to your menu planning?"
Thanks honey, got the hint. You're tired of Kraft Dinner, and chicken nuggets :)

So, in an attempt to get myself back on track here is my proposed menu for the week:

Monday: Hamburgers
Tuesday: I'm meeting a friend for dinner, but I'll be making Roasted Red Pepper and Tortellini Bake for my crew
Wednesday: The Marlboro Man Sandwich
Thursday: Grilled Chicken using this Cajun Spice Rub (thanks Kayren)
Friday: Grilled Chicken Wraps (using the leftover chicken)
Saturday: BBQ beef on a bun
Sunday: Sausage and Mixed Pepper Quesadillas (I had planned to make this one a few weeks ago and I still haven't yet. I'll try again this week and post the recipe....that is if I do end up making them!)

For more menu ideas visit Org Junkie!

Menu Plan June 21- 28

So, I took a week off from planning my menu and realized how much I actually rely on taking the time to plan out my menus. We ended up eating fun stuff like corn dogs and delissio pizza, just because by 5pm each night I still hadn't decided what to make for dinner and had to throw something quickly together.

It was a good reminder of why I plan my menus. They take the guess work out!
The awesome feeling of knowing what I'm going to make each day takes off so much pressure that I've actually grown to enjoy cooking.

Ok.

Enough rambling.

This week is not too heavy on the 'links', and for this I am sorry. I am a very visual person and so I like to post my recipes once they have pictures to go with them. I'm OCD like that. Sorry. I'll try to post the recipes as I make them :-)

Monday: Burritos in the Crock-pot (just throw in some browned ground beef and a jar of salsa for a few hours and voila, you've got a delicious meat sauce!- Thanks Sheri!)
Tuesday: Roasted Sticky Chicken
Wednesday: The yummiest Lasagna I've ever had (recipe to follow this week!)
Thursday: Chicken Pot Pie (using the leftover meat from tuesday)
Friday: Chris has to work all night, so the kids and I will fly through a drive-thru :)
Saturday: Sausage and Mixed Pepper Quesadillas (I'll try to post this recipe later on in the week too)
Sunday: We are celebrating Father's Day with my dad, so I'll be cooking something, probably on the BBQ....not sure what yet :)

For more menu ideas visit Org Junkie!

Menu Plan June 8- June 14

Last week we tried a new recipe, Cold Sesame Noodles with Shredded Chicken and boy was it ever good. Admittedly I am certain that it would have been even better if we could have used real peanut butter instead of the alternative "peabutter" that we use because of our son's allergy, but even still it was very yummy. As soon as hubby walked in the door he yelled out "Mmmm, that smells good!"
And it was. I would definitely recommend it!

The other highlight from last week were the kabobs I made using our "marvelous marinade".

Mmmm..... We had them for dinner Friday night, lunch on Saturday and then gave the rest to our in-laws for their dinner Saturday night. Ya, I think I went a little overboard on the quantity, but it's hard to plan exactly how many you will need when you have 20 people over for dinner. Tell me I'm not the only one...this happens to you too. Right?! Ok, good.

Anyways.

This week we are celebrating another birthday. My sweet husband is turning the big 3-0! Yes, he's a little unsettled by this fact and so we are planning on just having a super low key family dinner and some cake.
:)

Monday: Pizza Bagels
Tuesday: Thai Grilled Chicken with Parmesan Roasted Asparagus
Wednesday: Teriyaki Hamburgers
Thursday: Hubby's birthday dinner....I'm keeping this one a surprise for Chris (sorry honey, guess you'll have to wait and see :)
Friday: Chris has to work, so I'm not sure what we'll have. Perhaps the 'Golden Arch' is in our future?!
Saturday: Chicken Enchiladas
Sunday: Clean out the fridge.

For more menu ideas visit Org Junkie

Menu Plan June 1- June 7

Last week I had a terrible time sticking to my menu. I didn't actually make one meal that I had planned on making.(Unless you count Tuesday where I "planned to make something on the BBQ" and I actually did end up making chicken on the BBQ!)
:)
I always seem to have at least one "off" week every month. Hopefully I can get myself back on track. I find it hard in May and June, especially, because our big boy is in t-ball and so dinner time just seems so rushed. I guess I'd better get use to it, as I'm sure it will only get busier as the years roll on!

Ok, so this week I'm going to try really hard to make at least one of the meals on my plan :)

Monday: Cold Sesame Noodles with Shredded Chicken (I am going to substitute 'Pea Butter' (nut free) for the peanut butter because of our little guy's allergy, but I am super excited to make this one! )
Tuesday: Pepper Cheesesteak Sandwich ( I didn't end up making these last week, so we'll try again this week)
Wednesday: Pizza
Thursday: No cooking. Chris and I are going to a business dinner.
Friday: We're having company so I'm planning to make chicken & steak BBQ kabobs (I have the MOST FABULOUS meat marinating recipe, I'll post it later in the week!)
Saturday: Chili
Sunday: Clean out the fridge

For more menu ideas visit Org Junkie

Menu Plan May 25- May 31

First things first.
Last week's winning recipe.... Parmesan Cheesy Chicken

SO yummy! I freely admit though that I totally messed up this recipe. After putting it in the oven I quickly became distracted by the kids (can't remember the crisis, but it was mighty important for mama to intervene) when I returned to the kitchen to start cleaning up I noticed the bread crumbs sitting unopened on the countertop.
Whoops! I completely forgot one of the KEY ingredients. No matter. I quickly pulled the chicken from the oven and slathered it with bread crumbs. I think it had only been in the oven 20 minutes or so. The result? Perfection. I'm sure it would have turned out great, if I had actually followed the recipe properly, but I think I'll make it this way again the next time too, it just came out all crispy and yummy on the outside with a cheesy layer underneath! Mmmmm.

This week we will be celebrating our baby's 1st birthday, and having a special birthday dinner for her. Wow, I can't believe my baby is already a year!

All weekend I've been reminiscing about the days leading up to her birth. Just this morning I was thinking: 'This time last year I was contracting every few minutes in the hospital, being told there are no beds and consequently being sent home on morphine with a promised induction in a couple days'....ahh the memories :)

Ok, now onto this week's plan:

Monday: Chicken Bacon Burgers

Tuesday: Our baby girl's 1st BiRThDaY!! (not sure yet what I'll make, but it'll be something on the BBQ) I'm also planning on making a pretty butterfly cake :)

Wednesday: Breakfast for dinner- ham and cheese omelets, bacon, toast, hashbrowns- YUM

Thursday: Pepper cheesesteak sandwich ( Yes, honey- this one's for you!)

Friday: No cooking!! (Chris and I are at a rehearsal dinner for my friend's wedding.)

Saturday: No cooking again! We will be at the Wedding!

Sunday: Spaghetti

For more menu ideas visit Org Junkie!

Menu Plan May 18- May 24

I was pretty good at sticking to my menu last week. I only have two recipe to carry over this week, and in my books 2/7 ain't bad!
The highlight again last week, was definitely the Pit Beef.
Mmmmm.... my mouth is watering just writing about it.
We invited my in-laws over and let's just say that between Chris and my father-in-law the plate was practically licked clean.
It was a huge hit to say the least.

This week I'm going to try to take it easy and clean out the freezer.

Monday: Spicy Honey Chicken
Tuesday: Parmesan Cheesy Chicken (repeat from last week that we missed making)
Wednesday: Rice Vegetable Beef Soup (from the freezer) I'm also going to attempt to make bread in the bread-maker
Thursday: Pizza Bagels
Friday: Taco Salad (using this yummy homemade taco seasoning)
Saturday: Spaghetti
Sunday: Leftovers

For more menu ideas visit Org Junkie

Menu Plan May 11- May 17

This week we found out that my 5 year old is NO LONGER ALLERGIC TO MILK!!!
Can I get a Whoop Whoop!?

Yesssssss!

A whole new world of recipes have just opened up for us!
So in light of that spectacular news we are going to enjoy many a cheesy meal this week!
Here's what's happening in my kitchen this week:

Monday: Parmesan Cheesy Chicken
Tuesday: Ham Casserole
Wednesday: BBQ Hamburgers with *cheese* for everyone!
Thursday: Spicy Honey Chicken (YUMMY)
Friday: Pit Beef (I can't wait to have this one again. It was so delicious last time! If you haven't made it yet, you really do need to give it a whirl. It's a great time of year to get out and do some grillin')
Saturday: Homemade pizza dripping with *cheese* for everyone!
Sunday: Leftovers

For more menu ideas visit Org Junkie

Menu Plan May 04- May 10

This week will be heavy on the baking side. I am throwing my very good friend a bridal shower on Saturday and I am planning on making all sorts of sweet treats. Hopefully if I can get my act together I will post them throughout the week. But knowing the way I roll I'll probably end up having a marathon baking day on Friday.... we shall see.....

Here's a few sneak peeks of what I plan on making...
Chocolate Almond Crescent Bars
Cheesecake Squares
Millionaire's Shortbread Bars
Mars Bars Brownies
I'm also planning on making a bridal cake, or cupcakes of some kind

Now onto this week's menu:

Monday: Chicken Quesadillas (using the leftover roast chicken we had for lunch today)
Tuesday: Ranch Parmesan Chicken
Wednesday: We are going to enjoy a yummy BBQ meal at my sister's to celebrate (her boyfriend) Adam's birthday.
Thursday: I'm thinkin' Brisket Baby!!
Friday: Cowboy Nachos (using the leftover brisket)
Saturday: We'll probably just have pizza (I'm sure I won't feel like cooking after the shower!)
Sunday: Not too sure what's happening for Mother's day yet :)

For more menu ideas visit Org Junkie!

Menu Plan April 27- May 03

Last week I had grand plans for my menu.
The only problem was that three of my meals required the BBQ....and I was not totally thrilled about cooking them in this lovely weather:



Yup. That's right.
We received another lovely portion of the white stuff this week.
Sigh.
I suppose I should have expected it. But, when it comes to our weather, I like to live in a little place called "denial" believing that it won't ever snow in April.
(Truth be told it always snows well into May.)
I guess I need to hold off on planning so many BBQ meals for a few more weeks.

Needless to say we strayed from our menu. We'll have to see if this week's weather is any better. I've only included one meal that requires me to venture outside, so I'm really hoping to squeeze it in.

So, here's what's happening in my kitchen this week:

Monday: Porcupines
Tuesday: Ranch Parmesan Chicken
Wednesday: Crock-pot Pot Roast
Thursday: Beef on a bun (using the leftover roast beef)
Friday: Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad (praying for the snow to melt and stay away!)
Saturday: I will be out with friends so I'm thinking it will be pizza night for the rest of the crew
Sunday: Clean out the fridge :)

For more menu ideas visit Org Junkie!

Menu Plan April 20- 26

Ok friends. Gather around. I have to tell you about the highlight of last weeks menu....dramatic pause...... and the winner is........ da, da, da, daaaaaaaaa:
Balsamic Pork Roast Tenderloin.

Seriously.

We all LOVED it. Chris and I kept pausing after each bite to tell one another how good it was. All three kids gobbled it up and all three of them had seconds. Our son even asked me to please send it in his lunch for school.

It was just super tender & so full of flavor. One small warning though- Leigh Anne wasn't lying when she said that every time she makes it, it sets off her smoke alarm. Yes, the smoke is plentiful...and thick...but can I tell you that it is so worth running like a crazy woman to fan off your smoke alarm with your tea towel!! It's just soooooooo darn good!
You simply must try it!
Really.
I'm serious.
Ok, I'm done bossing you around now.

Onto this week's plan.

Monday: BBQ Steaks, baked potatoes, stemmed vegs, french bread
Tuesday: BLT bagels
Wednesday: "Really good" Noodles and Chicken (I'm really excited to try another one of Leigh Anne's recipes)
Thursday: Ham with rice and vegs
Friday: Tacos (using this homemade seasoning)
Saturday: Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad (I can't wait to try Sarah's homemade caesar dressing!)
Sunday: Clean out the fridge night :)

For more menu ideas visit Org Junkie!

Menu Plan April 13-19

Last week I had a hard time sticking to my menu. I don't really have a valid excuse.
I suppose on the bright side, this week's menu will be really easy to plan!
We did end up having the Pit Beef. Yum-O! I highly recommend it. It was pure beefy goodness!
I had never made a roast on the BBQ before, so I was a little concerned with how it would turn out. Well friends, this is definitely our new favorite way to eat a roast. So full of flavor. So delicious!
Mmmmm.....

Here's what's happening in my kitchen this week:

Monday: Rice Vegetable Beef Soup (using the leftover pit-beef)
Tuesday: Turkey Pot-pie
Wednesday: Quesadillas (I'm adding chicken)
Thursday: Balsamic Pork Roast Tenderloin
Friday: BBQ Chicken Burgers
Saturday: No cooking. We are going to a dinner auction at our son's school.
Sunday: Leftovers

For more menu ideas visit Org Junkie

Menu Plan April 6- 12

This week is shaping up to be a pretty busy one. We are celebrating two birthdays. Our Big girl shares her birthday with her Papa (Chris' Dad) on Thursday. (Which I think is pretty special!)
She's turning two.
I can not believe that she is going to be TWO already! Seriously- where does the time go??
She is very into Dora and princesses so I'm sure her cake will need to be either Princess or Dora-inspired. We'll see.........I'll post pictures of it later in the week :)

I'm also looking forward to a weekend of no cooking. We are super spoiled and get to enjoy two Easter dinners! Yippee, for a weekend off from the kitchen!

Now onto my menu....

Monday: Chili for Chris and the kids (I'm meeting a friend for dinner)
Tuesday: Quesadillas (I'm adding in chicken)
Wednesday: Hamburger Soup from the freezer
Thursday: Big Girl & Papa's birthday dinner (I'm cooking dinner for 13, so I was thinking of either Pit Beef or Balsamic Pork Roast Tenderloin and of course what's a party without- Chocolate Cake!
Friday: Whichever or the two that doesn't win out on Thursday, I'll make today.
Saturday: No Cooking- Easter Dinner with Chris' parents
Sunday: No Cooking- Easter Dinner with my Dad

For more menu ideas visit Org Junkie

Menu Plan Mar 20-26

Last week I was very organized and pretty much stuck to my menu.
(which I barely ever do, so I was kinda excited to share that with you!)

The highlight of our week (as far as meals go) was definitely the Spicy Honey Chicken, that I FINALLY managed to make.
OH.MY.WORD people- this recipe is simply to die for.
My husband dubbed it as his new favorite chicken recipe (and that is saying a lot considering my obsession with chicken when we were first married!)
He even ate the leftovers the next day.... this is shocking, as my husband simply does not do leftovers. Period. But he was more than happy to eat this chicken, and is already asking when I will make it again :)

Now onto this weeks plan.
I am going to attempt to clean out my freezer this week, and so our menu will be planned around what I have right now at home.

Monday: Ham and Potato soup (from the freezer)
Tuesday: Homemade Turkey Soup
Wednesday: Easy Chicken Parmesan (recipe at bottom of this post)
Thursday: Sweet and Sour Meatballs
Friday: Homemade Pizza (here's the dough recipe)
Saturday: Souvlaki Pork Chops (this one sounds very fancy, but we cheat and buy them pre-seasoned from our grocery store and just throw 'em on the BBQ. They are so tender and so delicious! )
Sunday: Leftovers Buffet :)

Easy Chicken Parmesan
(from a Kraft Canada Magazine)

1 jar(700 ml) pasta sauce
6 tbsp parmesan grated cheese
6 small boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 1/2 cups mozzarella shredded cheese

Preheat oven to 375*. Pour sauce into 13x9 in baking dish. Carefully stir in 4 tbsp (1/4 cup of the parmesan cheese. Add chicken; turn over to evenly coat both sides with sauce. Cover with foil.

Bake 30 mins. (I usually need to bake mine for closer to an hour- but I tend to use large pieces of chicken) Uncover.

Top with mozzarella cheese and remaining 2 tbsp of parmesan cheese; continue baking 5 mins, or until chicken is cooked through (170*F) and cheese is melted. Serve over hot cooked pasta.


For more menu ideas visit Org Junkie!

Menu Plan Mar 16-22

Here's what's happening in my kitchen this week:

Monday: Turkey Pot Pie (my dad surprised us this week by cooking a big turkey dinner today (Sunday), so I'm hoping there will be lots of leftovers for us to steal :)

Tuesday:Pioneer Woman's Favorite Sandwich

Wednesday: Ham Casserole

Thursday: Pan Fried Steak with mashed potatoes and salad

Friday: Spicy Honey Chicken - Yikes! This is now the third week I've had this meal on my menu and haven't made it- I am so excited to though, we've just been dealing with being sick so I'm hoping this week I will finally be able to get this one made. Doesn't it look SO delicious?!)

Saturday: Date night at home... not sure yet what I'll make for my love :-)

Sunday: Chicken Fajitas (I hope to use the leftovers from friday night)

For more menu ideas visit $5 Dinners filling in this week for Org Junkie

Menu Plan Mar 9- 16

Last week we continued the fun battle against the yucky colds in our house. Grrr....I am very ready for us all to be healthy again!
So, because of how we were all feeling it was touch and go with my menu last week. I did make the steak bites and they were delicious, but I missed out on the Spicy Honey Chicken. I'm going to recycle that one and try to get it done this time around...... here's hoping!

Monday: Yummy Crockpot Chili
Tuesday: It's boys night for Chris, so the kids and I will have Chili Nachos
Wednesday: Spicy Honey Chicken
Thursday: Homemade pizza using this dough recipe and the leftover chicken and maybe the ham that I froze from last week :)
Friday: Teriyaki Stir-Fry
Saturday: Hamburger Soup from the freezer
Sunday: Balsamic Roast Pork Tenderloin (Mmmmmmm)

For more menu ideas visit Org Junkie!

Menu Plan Mar 2- 8

This past week I did not follow my menu very well.
We were all sick and so for the most part I just pulled soups and casseroles from the freezer.
So, this week's menu is going to look an awful lot like last week's :)

Monday: Hawaiian Meatballs with rice
Tuesday: Chris has boys night. The kids and I will have Tacos
Wednesday: Steak Bites
Thursday: Spicy Honey Chicken
Friday: No Cooking. We're going to my Grandma's for her birthday dinner.
Saturday: Ham with rice and vegs
Sunday: Lasagna

For more menu ideas visit Org Junkie!

Menu Plan Feb 23- Mar 1

Here's what's happening in my kitchen this week:

Monday: Hawaiian Meatballs with rice
Tuesday: It's boys night for Chris, so the kids and I will just pull something from the freezer- soup or macaroni casserole leftovers
Wednesday: Chicken Tortilla Soup
Thursday: Steak Bites
Friday: I'm going out for a girls night and just have to bring an appetizer. I'm thinking of maybe bringing Honey Garlic Chicken Wings (yummy!) Whatever I decide to bring, I'll just make double so that Chris and the kids have something for dinner too :)
Saturday: Ham with rice and vegs
Sunday: Lasagna

Honey Garlic Chicken Wings:
(These wings are so yummy and better than any I've ever tasted in a restaurant, thanks for the yummy recipe Tanya!)

Mix black pepper, salt, seasoning salt and garlic together in a Ziploc bag.
Coat chicken wings in this mixture

Bake at 425* for 15-20 min on each side
Place cooked wings in a frying pan and over med-high heat crisp chicken
Pour honey over crispy wings allowing honey to caramelize
Serve on it’s own or over a bed of rice

For more menu plans visit Org Junkie!

Menu Plan Feb 16-22

Here's what's happening in my kitchen this week:

Monday: Teriyaki Chicken with rice and vegs.
Tuesday: Beef Burritos
Wednesday: Pulled Beef Sandwiches
Thursday: Ham and Potato Soup (from the freezer)
Friday: Church Potluck. I'm not sure yet what I'll bring.
Saturday: Homemade Macaroni and Cheese
Sunday: Steak and Potatoes (this one's a carry-over from last weeks menu)